Vigil (USA)
1920 – ?
Jim Gaffney (USA) x Vignola (USA), by Solitaire II (GB)
Family 27-a
1920 – ?
Jim Gaffney (USA) x Vignola (USA), by Solitaire II (GB)
Family 27-a
While the Los Angeles Times enthused that Vigil's Preakness win was “the most brilliant victory in the history of the Preakness,” it was the only stakes win of the colt's career. He raced with little success afterward and disappears from the records after his brief 5-year-old campaign.
Race record
41 starts, 6 wins, 10 seconds, 6 thirds, US$71,427.
1922:
1923:
1925:
Assessments
Ranked fifth among American 3-year-old males of 1923 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A chestnut horse, Vigil had good rein length, a deep girth, and powerful hindquarters but appears to have been sickle-hocked.
As a stallion
Vigil never sired any registered foals.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Vigil was bred by Arthur B. Hancock, Sr., at his Claiborne Farm. He was owned by Walter J. Salmon, Sr. He was trained by Thomas Healy.
Pedigree notes
Vigil is inbred 5x5 to 1863 St. Leger Stakes winner Lord Clifden. He is a full brother to Be Careful, dam of juvenile stakes winner Nation's Taste (by Stimulus). His dam Vignola is a full sister to juvenile stakes winner Voorhees and is out of Carnation II (by Flambeau). The next dam in the tail-female line is Amalia, a daughter of 1875 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) winner Salvator out of the Hermit mare Thoughtless.
Books and media
Vigil is profiled in Chapter 5 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photographer unknown; taken immediately following the 1923 Preakness Stakes. Benny Marinelli up. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: October 1, 2025
Race record
41 starts, 6 wins, 10 seconds, 6 thirds, US$71,427.
1922:
- 2nd Endurance Handicap (USA, 8f+70yD, Bowie)
- 2nd Eastern Shore Handicap (USA, 6FD, Havre de Grace)
- 2nd Albany Handicap (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
- 3rd Troy Selling Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Saratoga)
1923:
- Won Preakness Stakes (USA, 9FD, Pimlico)
- 2nd Potomac Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Havre de Grace)
- 2nd Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA, 16FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Kentucky Derby (USA, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- 3rd Havre de Grace Handicap (USA, 9FD, Havre de Grace)
1925:
- 2nd Olambala Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Aqueduct; 2nd of 2)
Assessments
Ranked fifth among American 3-year-old males of 1923 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A chestnut horse, Vigil had good rein length, a deep girth, and powerful hindquarters but appears to have been sickle-hocked.
As a stallion
Vigil never sired any registered foals.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Vigil was bred by Arthur B. Hancock, Sr., at his Claiborne Farm. He was owned by Walter J. Salmon, Sr. He was trained by Thomas Healy.
Pedigree notes
Vigil is inbred 5x5 to 1863 St. Leger Stakes winner Lord Clifden. He is a full brother to Be Careful, dam of juvenile stakes winner Nation's Taste (by Stimulus). His dam Vignola is a full sister to juvenile stakes winner Voorhees and is out of Carnation II (by Flambeau). The next dam in the tail-female line is Amalia, a daughter of 1875 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) winner Salvator out of the Hermit mare Thoughtless.
Books and media
Vigil is profiled in Chapter 5 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
- Vigil was the second important American racehorse of that name. The first, a son of Virgil, is generally considered the American co-champion 3-year-old male of 1876, sharing the title with the similarly sired Vagrant.
- The Vigil Handicap is a Canadian Grade 3 race for 4-year-olds and up contested at 6 furlongs on the main track at Woodbine Racetrack. Inaugurated in 1956, the race was originally run at Fort Erie and has been contested at various distances during its history.
Photo credit
Photographer unknown; taken immediately following the 1923 Preakness Stakes. Benny Marinelli up. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: October 1, 2025